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2008年07月31日
Japanese Mountains: Canyoning!
It is that time of year again when the cool canyons of the Japanese mountains start calling. With the daily temperature in the 90s there is something very attractive about the idea of a cool valley where the temperature is in the low 70s. Add to that a cool breeze and the sound of natural flowing water and it is nearly impossible to not seek out a canyon to climb.
Mr. N and I choose to climb the Marutaki Valley located on the north side of Mt. Kongo. The north side is the "wild" side of Mt. Kongo where few people live and few people venture into the mountains.
We knew we were getting near the entrance to the valley when the still hot air changed to cool moving air. We were soon in the canyon following the stream which was our only path. At the first large waterfall we took a picture and coffee break and then pushed on into the depths of the valley. From the first waterfall on it was just one waterfall after another but as this valley has become popular recently there was always a rope wherever getting up a particular waterfall seemed difficult.
Finally, we came to the side valley that contained the waterfall that gives the valley its name-the Marutaki-the Maru Waterfall. There we took another break and prepared for our escape from the valley. I say "escape" because the only way out it is to climb a high rock wall-you either climb the rock wall or you are stuck in the valley with no way to get out.
In a Japanese map this place is marked as an "akuba" which means that it is dangerous and that care must be taken. Here, we actually had to use a rope to get out but we made it out ok and started up the last stretch of the now waterless valley. At that point, the sky turned black and we heard thunder. We got ready for a real soaking but the rain really never came except for a few drops that caught us nearly at the end of the trail.
About three hours after we started we found ourselves at the peak of Mt. Kongo and ready for a late lunch.At the peak the temperature was even cooler-only 64 degrees. It was hard to imagine the 90 degree weather at the foot of the mountain but all good things have to end sometime and so after lunch we headed down the south side of the mountain to be picked up by my patient wife waiting in the car there.
I think I have discovered the perfect way to spend a hot summer day!
投稿者 bethany : 2008年07月31日 07:35
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